2.1 tons of trash collected in county this month

About 2.1 tons of trash have been picked up along Phelps County roads through the Tough on Trash program in January.

Duane Gavisk, with the Tough on Trash program, gave a report on the program during Tuesday morning’s Phelps County Commission meeting.

Gavisk said 176 bags were filled of trash from roads or on the shoulders or ditches in the county this month.

He also collected 76 tires. Of that, he picked up 33 tires along Martin Springs Drive in only one day. He also has picked up five TVs or other electronics, couches and other items.

Gavisk said if the TV screens are not broken, he takes them to be recycled.

District Two Commissioner Gary Hicks said he recently drove county roads in the south part of the county and noted the roads and right-of-ways are clean.

Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp praised Gavisk for his efforts in cleaning up the litter.

“Get rid of it or it will grow,” Verkamp said.

Hicks agreed, noting that if people see a pile of trash alongside a road, they may think it’s OK to also litter.

To report litter on Phelps County roads, people can call a hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 573-465-1936.

In other business

Also at the meeting, Verkamp noted that he talked with Preston Kramer, area engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), about plans for an extension of County Road 2000 east to Highway V for a continuous outer road north of Interstate 44.

Verkamp said Kramer could have design plans for the extension project to the county by March 1 and the project could possibly be eligible for a cost-share between MoDOT and the county.

Earlier this month, the commissioners received a petition that contained 20 signatures of residents along nearby County Road 2020 asking to alleviate heavy truck traffic on their road.

The commission also approved using Kyle Jones as a contractor for computer maintenance with the county road department for $33 per hour as needed. Jones also is contracted with the sheriff’s department and prosecuting attorney’s office for the same work.

The commission approved a bid of $3,253 from Matt Shults to sell him a 2002 Ford pickup truck from the sheriff’s department. That was the only bid received and was above the minimum set bid of $3,000. The county received no bids for an Econoline diesel van.

The commission also received the Edgar Springs Rural Fire Protection District annual financial report.